CPU
GPU
Xeon W-3345
Xeon Gold 6342
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-3345
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6342
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,319) | ✅ More affordable ($3,000) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-W (2021) / 10 nm) | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-SP (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($3,319) | ✅ More affordable ($3,000) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon W-3345 and Xeon Gold 6342
Xeon W-3345
The Xeon W-3345 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-W (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 48,140 points. Launch price was $800.
Xeon Gold 6342
The Xeon Gold 6342 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-SP (2021) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 230 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 47,076 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon W-3345 and Xeon Gold 6342 share an identical 24-core/48-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Xeon W-3345 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6342 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3345 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon W-3345 uses the Ice Lake-W (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6342 uses Ice Lake-SP (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon W-3345 scores 48,140 against the Xeon Gold 6342's 47,076 — a 2.2% lead for the Xeon W-3345. Both processors carry 36 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 24 / 48 | 24 / 48 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+14% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+7% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB (total) | 36 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm | 10 nm |
| Architecture | Ice Lake-W (2021) | Ice Lake-SP (2021) |
| PassMark | 48,140+2% | 47,076 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA4189 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to 3200 memory speed. The Xeon Gold 6342 supports up to 6144 of RAM compared to 4096 — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 8-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 128 (Xeon W-3345) vs 64 (Xeon Gold 6342) — the Xeon W-3345 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,C621A (Xeon W-3345) and C621A (Xeon Gold 6342).
| Feature | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4189 | LGA4189 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 3200 | 3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 6144+50% |
| RAM Channels | 8 | 8 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 128+100% | 64 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon W-3345 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362; Xeon Gold 6342 rivals EPYC 7443.
| Feature | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon W-3345 launched at $2499 MSRP, while the Xeon Gold 6342 debuted at $2977. At current prices ($3319 vs $3000), the Xeon Gold 6342 is $319 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W-3345 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 15.7 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6342 — making the Xeon Gold 6342 the 7.9% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon W-3345 | Xeon Gold 6342 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2499-16% | $2977 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $3319 | $3000-10% |
| Performance per Dollar | 14.5 | 15.7+8% |
| Release Date | 2021 | 2021 |
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